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Mortgage repayments – 10 sure ways to get ahead and stay ahead

Paying off your home loan ahead of schedule can slash thousands of dollars off your long term interest bill. Take a look to see how you can save – and become mortgage-free faster.

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1. Make repayments more frequently

Instead of paying monthly, try paying half your regular repayment each fortnight. There are 26 fortnights in a year, so you’ll end up paying an extra month’s repayment without feeling the pinch.

Let’s say for instance, your monthly repayments are $2,000. Over 12 months you’ll pay $24,000 off your home loan. But if you pay $1,000 each fortnight you’ll have repaid $26,000. It’s an easy way to knock an extra $2,000 off your loan.

2. Add a bit extra to your repayments

Even small extra repayments can have a big impact over time. That’s because additional payments come straight off your loan balance. This lowers the interest component of next month’s repayment, so more of that payment reduces your loan balance. It’s a simple way to swing the loan pendulum in your favour.

3. Tip lump sum windfalls into your home loan

Almost all of us receive lump sums of cash at some stage – usually a work bonus or annual tax refund. Put this money to work by depositing it into your home loan. It will come straight off the principal, letting you see the good progress you’re making.

4. Tap into redraw

A redraw facility lets you withdraw cash from your home loan if it’s needed in an emergency. This makes it reassuring that you can add any spare funds to your loan to help pay it off sooner, and still have access to the cash if it’s needed.

5. Consider an offset account

A home loan offset is an account linked to your mortgage. The balance of this linked account is deducted from (or offset against) your home loan when loan interest is calculated. It’s a smart way to use your spare cash to get ahead with your mortgage. For added convenience, the funds in the linked account are normally available at-call.

6. Harness the benefits of a split loan

If you’re keen to take advantage of today’s super-low interest rates but you’re not comfortable fixing the full balance of your loan, a split loan can provide the best of both worlds. It means being able to lock part of your loan into a low rate while keeping the balance on a variable rate and enjoying all the flexibility this provides.

7. Bundle your loan into a package

We all want across-the-board savings, and a package loan can offer just that. By bundling a number of financial products with the same lender – usually your home loan, a credit card and a transaction account, you can typically save on a variety of fees, and, most importantly, enjoy a lasting discount on your home loan interest rate.

8. Stay on top of money matters

It pays to sweat the small stuff. A missed bill, an overdrawn account and even falling behind on your rent can leave a few dents in your credit score – yet this is one of the best assets you have to secure competitively-priced finance.

Aim to stay on top of money matters to protect your financial reputation and avoid the cost of unnecessary fees and late payment penalties.

9. Go easy on the nice-but-not-essentials

Money saved by sidestepping unnecessary buys can be used to pay down your home loan sooner. That doesn’t mean living on bread and water. Rather it involves thinking about what you really need, identifying non-essential purchases and embracing ways to save.

10. Speak to your local Mortgage Choice broker

Having the home loan that’s right for your needs and budget is essential to get ahead with your mortgage. After all, it’s a lot harder to pay off your loan sooner if you’re paying for features you don’t use or need.

Your local Mortgage Choice broker knows the market, knows which lenders will work with your situation, and which loans offer the right rate and features for your circumstances.

We all want to be mortgage-free sooner. Talk to your local Mortgage Choice broker today for more strategies that can see you enjoy mortgage freedom ahead of time.

*Note: the home loan with the lowest current interest rate is not necessarily the most suitable for your circumstances, you may not qualify for that particular product, and not all products are available in all states and territories.

#The comparison rate provided is based on a loan amount of $150,000 and a term of 25 years. WARNING: This Comparison Rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different Comparison Rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the Comparison Rate but may influence the cost of the loan.

~Not all brokers or advisers offer the products of all lenders or solution providers.